Mile 324 Report
Seaside north
August 4, 2022
My morning walk began gloriously with the sun peaking through the clouds and chirping birds flitting through the dune grasses.
Report Details
My morning walk began gloriously with the sun peaking through the clouds and chirping birds flitting through the dune grasses. Several Osprey fished in the estuary, tangling with Caspian Terns and Seagulls, and Semipalmated Plovers ran along the shoreline. I was rewarded with my third sighting of the Snowy Plover family amongst the grasses of the Necanicum Spit. I also heard, but did not see, a drone over the north end of the dunes and sighted a possible driver on the balconey of one of the houses. But as I rounded the corner with the river and began to walk south along the beach, dead birds and debris began to appear. In total, I found ten dead Common Murres and two seagulls. I also found a condom (on the trail in the dunes), a dirty diaper (on the beach), an assortment of beer cans, glass bottles, broken plastic sand-toys, cigarette butts and dog poop. I don't know why, but the only kind of beer bottle label I've ever found is Buoy Beer, and in the last month I've come across about ten.
Conditions
Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 40. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 5. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 9. Other Activities: bird watching, clamming, walking. Ranger vehicle on beach to check on/remove Snowy Plover enclosure
Concerns
Fire, Litter
Apparent violations: Disturbing amount of litter especially between 6th and Broadway; on Tuesday August 2nd, I witnessed a fire right up against the bluffs in the estuary in an area surround by logs and grass. I reported it to the Seaside Police non-emergency number but didn't find out if any action was taken..Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Male and female Snowy Plover with two chicks hatched Sunday, July 31st; 2-3 Osprey; Caspian Terns (30-40); countless Seagulls, mostly California; 3-4 Cormorants
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 12. 10 common murres, 2 gulls (appeared to be juvenile California gulls but difficult to identify)
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).
Man-made Modifications
There is a log structure that was originally a small two-room shelter that appeared to have been knocked over by either rangers or shore patrol but is being rebuilt. Two days ago I witnessed four people use it as a bathroom, I keep finding tissue in the vicinity and it continues to attract garbage. It is far enough out on the Necanicum Spit that people who do use it as a shelter/firepit area don't have anywhere but the surrounding terrain to use as a bathroom. N 46.00941, W 123.92673
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling.
Report Images
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People enjoying the beach, nesting Snowy Plovers in distress, Juvenile Brown Pelicans learn about dogs;
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New flock of Brown Pelicans at mouth of estuary along with some Canada Geese, seagulls and Caspian Terns were disturbed several times before relocating to sandbar surrounded by water;Snowy Plover disturbed on island between Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek by two people tidepooling;Tour Helicopter flew over five separate times twice low enough (though probably not illegal) to disturb two Bald Eagles and two Osprey hunting in estuary;Small structure built of driftwood still on the Necanicum Spit being used as shelter;
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Two Snowy Plovers seen with eggs at nests within protected sites.
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